Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Traveling on a budget doesn't mean you have to forego your daily comforts and sleep in a doghouse—instead, you can comfortably slumber at this dog-shaped inn for a reasonable price. Located in the city of Cottonwood, Idaho, guests can stay at The Dog Bark Park Inn for only $100 a night. This adorable lodge is a quirky, independently owned bed and breakfast built in the shape of a gigantic beagle. Married artists, Dennis J. Sullivan and Frances Conklin, opened the inn in 2003 after Sullivan built the dog-shaped structure he lovingly nicknames "Sweet Willy."

The inn's outstanding amenities, hospitality, and just the right amount of kitsch has brought it many awards, including Trip Advisor's 2016 Certificate of Excellence. It's easy to see why—booking a stay allows you access to all of Sweet Willy, including a bathroom and two bedrooms (one of which is located in the dog's nose). Nothing can beat the breakfast side of the trip, which is headed by Conklin and her secret family recipes. She explained to Huffington Post that guests can help themselves to an "extended" breakfast, which not only includes cereal, yogurt, and bagels, but also her homemade granola and garden fresh quiches.

For those who are looking for a place to unwind and unplug, the Dog Bark Park Inn is it. There are no TVs or phones. Instead, the owners wish their guests to get outside, explore the sculpture gardens (you can't miss the smaller beagle structure nicknamed "Toby" and the hydrant-shaped portable toilet), and meet the rare other visitor. Because of limited accommodations, reservations fill up quickly. Don't miss your chance to visit this one-of-a-kind hound hotel! Pets welcome.

Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Services specializes in treating “non-traditional” pets, and they recently showcased their expertise with their care of a goldfish named Conquer. His human brought him into the vet after he accidentally swallowed a pebble. Just like a cat or dog, this beloved pet had the full treatment—including anesthesia.

After determining that the ailment was indeed caused by a pebble, Conquer was taken in for emergency surgery. First, they dripped an anesthetic agent in the water that put the fish to sleep. Then, they inserted tiny instruments into his mouth and slowly pulled out the rock. The vet remarked on Facebook, “[A] big pebble for a little goldfish to try to eat!” Once Conquer was clear of the stone, he was placed in a recovery tank that contained clean water and went home the next day.
The entire procedure cost about $500—Conquer was bought at a pet store for about $12—however, the vet commended his human for taking action when she noticed something was wrong. “Most people wouldn’t bat an eyelid spending this money on a dog, cat or child,” a spokesperson told Buzzfeed, “so why would we value our beautiful exotic pets any less.”

Teacher Hirotaka Hamasaki captivates his young students by drawing sprawling masterpieces on the blackboard. Rather than writing notes or homework assignments, he emulates artworks featuring historically-significant imagery as well as contemporary pieces. Using everyday chalk and a well-worn eraser, Hamasaki references iconic paintings like Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper as well as pop culture-inspired works like Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Hamasaki’s ability to faithfully reproduce several types of artistic styles is awe-inspiring. In one instance, he’s drawn the cubist masterpiece Guernica by Pablo Picasso, but he’s comfortable switching gears to illustrate a colorful scene from the anime film Kimi no Na Wa. It seems his chalkboard subjects know no limit—the perfect way to engage a group who is constantly learning.
We'd love to sit in his class—for now, though, we’ll have to settle and enjoy his work through Instagram.

Nestled among the trees in Shizuoka—a rural prefecture aptly nicknamed “Japan's Riviera”—is a tiny commune of curious cottages. Far from a campsite, these tent-like dwellings compriseJikka, a charming retirement home designed by Toyko-based architect Issei Suma. The teepee-like design mimics the surrounding mountainous landscape while offering modern comforts inside—perfect for those who've spent their lives laboring, and are looking for more relaxation.
Jikka was initially created for two retirement-ready women in their 60s—one was a social worker and the other was a cook. Constructed of concrete and timber, the 100-square-meter site is equipped with a kitchen, dining area, shared bedroom, guest room, and bathroom. There's even a wheelchair-accessible, spiral-shaped pool for residents to relax in. In addition to accommodation, the complex also prepares and delivers meals to the senior population of the surrounding community.
Beautiful, functional, and charitable, Jikka is the perfect retirement retreat.

Photographer Victor Habchy has attended the Burning Man festival since 2014, letting his camera capture a visual diary of the surreal atmosphere. His photos document the creativity that unfolds in the Nevada desert like a surreal dream come to life. Habchy, who is color blind, demonstrates an ability to show us moments of humanity in an otherworldly setting. The subjects run, dance, play, and embrace in a seemingly post-apocalyptic environment.
"Never in my life have I experienced more love, more freedom and more self-expression. This place gathers everything that is left from the human dreams and utopia and how, by every individual means, we could work together to build up a better world."